FIFA World Cup crowds drive major transit and tourism surge in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The FIFA World Cup's impact on Philadelphia is no longer a projection but a measurable reality, with new figures showing hundreds of thousands of visitors moving through the city's transit hubs and fan zones since the tournament began.

Amtrak reports that more than 500,000 people have traveled through or booked travel at 30th Street Station during the tournament.

More than 250,000 visitors have also passed through FIFA's Fan Festival at Lemon Hill, which organizers say recorded the largest single-day crowd of any U.S. host city.

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More than 54,000 people attended the festival on Friday, the day Brazil faced Haiti in South Philadelphia.

Transit systems saw similar spikes.

On June 19, more than 26,000 passengers boarded SEPTA's Broad Street Line after the final whistle.

Kathy Ott Lovell, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, said the surge is evident across the city's tourism sites.

She said visitor centers on the Parkway and at Sixth Street brought in nearly $60,000 in sales in a single day.

"So, we're definitely feeling the economic impact. We definitely feel like the visitors are wanting to take some souvenirs home, and again, our retail shops enable us to do our work. that's our business model," she said. "We use that to staff and provide visitor experience associates who are helping visitors."

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Lovell said the Flash bus, a transportation service for visitors, saw an 800% increase in ridership last week - its biggest jump since 2015.

Beyond the numbers, she noted the energy throughout the city.

"And it's not just the numbers, it's also the spirit. These people are so excited, and they're, you know, and Philadelphians are receiving them in such an amazing way," she said.

Community service representatives have also reported a nearly 30 percent increase in visitors stopping to ask for directions and recommendations, underscoring the city's growing crowds and enthusiasm as the tournament continues.